Motorsailer, SV or MV?

[Wckoek]

A random question, given a 60/40 or 80/20 motor/sailer, should the prefix be identified as SV or MV?
Also if their right of way should be treated that of a motor vessel?

[newhaul]

Should be designated SV you have a mast and sails so that is simple .
As far as right of way I suggest you re-read the colregs https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...6cF44wPNxwomXK
It will explain all of the different parts of your question ( the exact answer is quite lengthly )

[Cheechako]

Generally, Under power you are a motor vessel either way.

[Wckoek]

Originally Posted by newhaul

Should be designated SV you have a mast and sails so that is simple .
As far as right of way I suggest you re-read the colregs https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...6cF44wPNxwomXK
It will explain all of the different parts of your question ( the exact answer is quite lengthly )

Thanks, so the navigation lights arrangement should be treated as sailboat as well I assume.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by Wckoek

Thanks, so the navigation lights arrangement should be treated as sailboat as well I assume.

yes and when under power you also use the steaming light.
The info is all in the colregs. ( even tells you what is required of seaplanes and surface effect vessels)

[The Apprentice]

Wikipedia as a set of designations for various aquatic vessels

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ship_prefix

[StuM]

1. Got a mast and sails? It's either a SV or a MSY - take your pick.

2. No such thing as right of way at sea. For whether they are "stand on" or "give way", it depends on the circumstances. They are a sailing vessel when under sail, a motor vessel when under motor.
COLREGs Rule 3
(b) The term “power-driven vessel” means any vessel propelled by machinery.
(c) The term “sailing vessel” means any vessel under sail provided that propelling machinery, if
fitted, is not being used.

What lights you display will depend on whether you are motoring or not. You need to have your navigation lights set up so that you can display the appropriate lights both when under sail and when under motor.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by newhaul

yes and when under power you also use the steaming light.
The info is all in the colregs. ( even tells you what is required of seaplanes and surface effect vessels)

Note that the alternative "combined side lights and stern light at the top of the mast" permitted for sailing vessels under 20 metres in lieu of separate lights is NOT acceptable when motoring at night.

[CarlF]

I alway light my motor sailor as under power and giveway/stand-on accordingly. That's because my steaming light is the most visible nav light on the boat.

I'm also am not at all confident the other guy knows how to giveway/stand-on for a sailboat. Hell, half the people out their don't know what those words mean.

I took off the tricolor. In the era of huge battery banks and LED bulbs there's no reason to skimp on lights - such as showing only a confusing single tiny navigation light that is hard to see from more than a mile away except in ideal conditions.